How 'Roblox' became a playground for virtual fascists

PLUS: VC Pledged to 'Do Better' on Diversity. It's Barely Changed, and more

View this email in your browser  |  Manage newsletter subscriptions 06.10.21   MONEY MATTERS | 5-MINUTE READ VC Pledged to 'Do Better' on Diversity. It's Barely Changed BY ARIELLE PARDES The Black Lives Matter protests drew sympathetic public statements from investors in 2020. One year later, signs of progress are harder to find.   POSTAGE PAID | 9-MINUTE READ Remember When Multiplayer Gaming Needed Envelopes and Stamps? BY MARK HILL The history of play-by-mail includes bribes, forgeries, and games that took years to finish.   CRISIS MANAGEMENT | 5-MINUTE READ How to Protect Species and Save the Planet—at Once BY MATT SIMON A major new report calls on humanity to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises simultaneously. Here's what that might look like.   LITTLE CAESARS | 16-MINUTE READ How Roblox Became a Playground for Virtual Fascists BY CECILIA D'ANASTASIO Thousands of players flocked to a digital world filled with draconian rules, slavery, and anti-Semitism—and tested how far "just a game" can go. GET WIRED Stare the future right in the eye. Get 1 year of unlimited access to WIRED for less than $1 per month. Plus, get a free tote! Subscribe now.   HIGH FLIERS | 6-MINUTE READ How Risky Is It to Send Jeff Bezos to the Edge of Space? BY ERIC NIILER Today's commercial spacecraft have a safety advantage, thanks to simpler designs and suborbital missions. But with rockets, nothing is certain.   JOIN IN | 4-MINUTE READ How to Celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month 2021—Online or In-Person BY MICHAEL CRAWFORD With the ongoing pandemic, here are a variety of ways you can join in at home, or anywhere.   OPINION | 5-MINUTE READ Political and Urban-Rural Divides Prolong The Digital Divide BY BHASKAR CHAKRAVORTI Democrats and Republicans alike need to be honest about how much broadband for all will cost. And they can make Big Tech help pay for it.   ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED | 6-MINUTE READ The Joy and Misery of Hunting for Video Game Trophies BY SIMON HILL For some, relentlessly unlocking achievements is a lifestyle. For others, it's a headache.   PRODUCT REVIEW | 4-MINUTE READ Amazon's Latest Echo Buds Aren't Just A Repeat BY PARKER HALL With good sound and excellent app integration, Amazon's latest wireless earbuds are an affordable AirPods Pro alternative.     This e-mail was sent to you by WIRED. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, wired@newsletters.wired.com, to your address book.   View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe or Manage your newsletter subscriptions   Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.